"MS Dhoni didn't do one press conference" - Former Australia captain's stunning revelation after Ravindra Jadeja controversy in BGT 2024-25

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke remarked that he was not surprised by India's evasive media tactics during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The local journalists were left fuming during the build-up to the Boxing Day Test after all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja delivered a pre-match press conference entirely in Hindi, while fielding questions only from the Indian journalists.

A similar trend was observed when pace bowler Akash Deep was sent out to address the media. The Australian media were under the scanner after Virat Kohli confronted a few journalists at the Melbourne airport for allegedly filming his family without permission.

Things escalated so far that Team India's media manager got involved too, and the well-spirited friendly game between the journalists contingent was also canceled amid the unrest and tension.

Michael Clarke recalled how MS Dhoni did not address the media at all during an entire tour when he was leading the team.

"I don't think much has changed, to be honest. I've experienced Indian teams coming here, and their captain, MS Dhoni, didn't do one press conference during the entire Test series. So, Sachin was very restrictive around when he chose to do media. I think it's been the same for a long time. So, I like the fact they're still putting someone up," Clarke said on ESPN's Around the Wicket show.

Clarke also added that India have stuck to their well-rehearsed game plan regarding their off-field demeanor from the word go. Gautam Gambhir had set the tempo with a fiery press conference while departing from India, where he targetted Ricky Ponting over his comments on Virat Kohli's form.

"I think they made it pretty clear before they left India what they were going to be like when they arrived in Australia. They're going to stick to themselves, stick to their plan. Gambhir made that very clear in the first press conference. So, I don't know why anybody's surprised, and for them, it'd be about what's happening on the field, not off the field. So, I don't think even the chat around it would be bothering India too much," Clarke added.

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma addressed the media earlier today (Tuesday, December 24) ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

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MS Dhoni had once confronted an Australian journalist after 2016 T20 World Cup exit

The former wicketkeeper-batter was asked about his retirement plan by an Australian journalist after India were eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup against the West Indies in Mumbai.

Dhoni had famously invited the journalist behind the mic on the platform and made him answer his own question, leaving the rest of the media contingent in splits.